What If I Can't Afford Rehab?

“I can’t afford rehab” is one of the most common excuses you’ll hear come out of an addict’s mouth and let’s face it: we’re no strangers to making excuses. Unfortunately, it’s often true. Rehab is extremely expensive and if you’re like many other Americans, addicts or not, you either don’t have health insurance or your insurance plan does not cover these expenses.

You need to remember this: regardless of how expensive rehab is going to be, you cannot afford NOT to go to rehab. Your life is depending on it. If you have insurance, contact your insurance company – you’d be surprised at what they do cover, and if they’re unwilling to cover the entire rehab stint, you may only be required to pay a co-pay.

If you don’t have insurance, there is STILL hope. Contact every local rehab center in your area. While it may seem tedious, they are going to be direct with you and understanding of your situation. Even if they can’t accept you as a patient, they are going to do what they can to point you in the direction of someone who can. In fact, some rehab centers are willing to consider financing options as well. You will never know the answer unless you call and ask for help. Is a co-pay or financing payment too much for your budget? The money you’d be putting down towards drugs or alcohol will probably cover the costs of your monthly payments. In the long run, the cost of your stint at rehab won’t come close to the deadly costs of drug and alcohol abuse.

State funding agencies are another option if you’re completely incapable of making any payments to a rehabilitation center. While these centers aren’t going to necessarily be the most luxurious, they will do what is necessary to get you clean and sober. There are rehab centers available for individuals in your position who want to get help but simply cannot afford it – and the state has set aside a specific amount of funding to cover these costs. Check online to see what your local area has to offer.

Rehab is possible for anyone who is willing to seek treatment. If you’ve got the time to find drugs and alcohol, you’ve got the time to pick up the phone.

Cassandra Huerta is a freelance writer who lives in an extremely small Michigan town and lives life one day at a time. She enjoys regularly entertaining her six-month-old daughter and can thank her wonderful fiance and coffee for all of her work.